Why Gary Sinise Left Hollywood to Care for His Family and How He’s Honoring Veterans
From personal heartbreak to public service—the beloved actor’s story brings hope to families and veterans
Actor and director Gary Sinise is no stranger to the spotlight. Best known for his work in productions like Of Mice and Men (1992), Forrest Gump (1994), Apollo 13 (1995) and CSI: NY (2004 to 2013), the actor has become nothing short of a Hollywood icon. Now, though, Sinise has other things on his mind, including taking care of his family and showing support for our veterans. We share why he decided to do so below.
Inside Gary Sinise’s journey as a caregiver
One thing Sinise has never been shy about is his family’s battle with cancer. And in a recent interview with Fox News, Sinise opened up about why that journey was the reason he left Los Angeles in 2021.
“We were in the cancer fight during that time,” the actor said. “My wife had been diagnosed with breast cancer. My son was diagnosed with this very rare cancer within two months of each other. My dad had just had a stroke, and my mom was alone, and I had to take care of her. I kind of had my hands full.”
Sinise has been married to Moira Harris since 1981, and they have three children together—one of whom tragically died from the disease earlier this year.
“Our son [MaCanna Anthony “Mac” Sinise] was fighting this cancer with no cure,” Sinise explained in the Fox News interview. “Trying to find drugs and doctors or anybody that could do anything for him was like a full-time job. Plus, he became more and more disabled by the cancer as time went on… He needed more and more care.”
Mac was 33 at the time of his death froma strain of cancer called Chordoma, which appears on a person’s spine or at the base of their skull.
“Like any family experiencing such a loss, we are heartbroken and have been managing as best we can. As parents, it is so difficult losing a child,” Sinise said at the time of his son’s death. “My heart goes out to all who have suffered a similar loss, and to anyone who has lost a loved one. We’ve all experienced it in some way. Over the years I have met so many families of our fallen heroes. It’s heartbreaking, and it’s just damn hard.”
“Our family’s cancer fight lasted for 5 ½ years, and it became more and more challenging as time went on. While our hearts ache at missing him, we are comforted in knowing that Mac is no longer struggling, and inspired and moved by how he managed it,” the actor continued. “He fought an uphill battle against a cancer that has no cure, but he never quit trying.”
Along with their son, Harris also has been battling cancer. Her is a type of stage three breast cancer, but details on her battle with it remain unknown at this time.
How Gary Sinise is honoring his late son’s legacy
Since Mac’s death, Sinise has gone out of his way to honor his son and his legacy, including releasing a two-part record series entitled Mac Sinise: Resurrection & Revival on Vinyl, the second of which was just released a little while ago.
“Shortly after Mac’s death on January 5, 2024, I began combing through his files, his Dropbox, his iPad and iPhone. I found letters he’d written to family, thoughts he wanted to get down on paper, hoping they would be discovered later. Videos he’d made and kept for us to see should anything happen. Beautiful things that he meant for us to have,” the actor said in a statement.
“I also discovered music that he’d written and tucked away, ” he continued. “So, with the discovery of so much more music, I had a thought. I reached out to his producing partner on Resurrection & Revival, his pal Oliver Schnee, with an idea for another Mac Music Project. I played a lot of the music for Oliver. He loved it and was immediately on board to work on a second album, Resurrection & Revival: Part Two.”
Sinise finished by saying “Thank you, Mac, for your heart, your love for all your family and friends, and for creating this beautiful music that we will treasure always. We miss you so.”You can order Mac Sinise: Resurrection & Revival on Vinyl—Part 2 here.
Gary Sinise talks about honoring veterans
Sinise has also been very open about his appreciation for our country’s veterans. In 2011 he created the The Gary Sinise Foundation, which builds homes and provides support to veterans, first responders and their families. Recently the organization completed its100th home, which they built for US Army Sergeant First Class Joe Bowser, who was severely wounded in Iraq in 2004.
“When I played Lt. Dan in Forrest Gump, I was invited to go to the Disabled American Veterans national convention in 1994,” Sinise said of Bowser. “That was a life-changing, impactful moment to see so many sacrifices among this crowd out there, acknowledging me for acting like one. I needed to try to do something. It led me to a life of service I could have never imagined prior to playing that part in that movie. It’s led me to meet so many people who are the real Lt. Dans. Joe, you’re a real life Lt. Dan.”
Bowser also committed to the historic moment, saying, “It’s a new chapter in our life. To have a brand new home and be mortgage-free, it’s like winning the lottery.”
“As I’m standing here, I’m filled with more gratitude than words can truly express,” Bowser continued. “You’ve built more than walls. You’ve built hope and independence. My kids, after I got wounded, there was a banner they put up. Welcome home, Lt. Dan!”
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